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- Overview
- Turn two-step verification on or off
- About two-step verification or two-step authentication
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To increase the security of your account, you can require two steps to sign in.
1.Sign in to your Microsoft account Advanced security options.
2.Under Additional security and Two-step verification choose Turn on or Turn off.
What is two-step verification?
Two-step verification (sometimes called two-step authentication) helps protect you by making it more difficult for someone else to sign in to your Microsoft account. It uses two different forms of identity: your password, and a contact method (also known as security info). Even if someone else finds your password, they'll be stopped if they don't have access to your security info. This is also why it's important to use different passwords for all your accounts.
What happens when you turn on two-step verification?
If you turn on two-step verification, you’ll get a security code to your email, phone, or authenticator app every time you sign in on a device that isn't trusted. When two-step verification is turned off, you will only have to verify your identity with security codes periodically, when there might be a risk to your account security.
What you'll need for set up
Two-step verification begins with an email address (we recommend two different email addresses, the one you normally use, and one as a backup just in case), a phone number, or any authenticator app. When you sign in on a new device or from a new location, we'll send you a security code to enter on the sign-in page. Learn how you can use the Microsoft Authenticator app or authenticate using Outlook for Android.
Reset your password when two-step verification is turned on
If you forget your password when you have two-step verification turned on for your account, you can reset your password as long as we have two ways to contact you, like one of the alternate contact email addresses or phone numbers that you used when you turned on two-step verification. Depending on what security info you have added to your account, this requirement might mean entering a security code from your authenticator app and entering a security code that was emailed to your backup email account. To reset your password, follow the steps in How to reset your Microsoft account password. Instead of receiving one security code to verify your identity, though, you'll receive two. If you're looking for info about changing, removing, or updating the alternate email address or phone number where you get security codes, follow the steps in either Security info & verification codes or Replace your Microsoft account security info.
Where you can't use security codes, use app passwords
Some apps (like the mail apps on some phones) or devices (like the Xbox 360) can't use regular security codes. If you see an “incorrect password” error on an app or device after you turn on two-step verification, but you’re sure your password was correct, that means you'll need an app password for that app or device. App passwords are only available if you use two-step verification. If you don't have two-step verification turned on, you won't see the App passwords section on the Additional security options page. Read about how to create and use app passwords in App passwords and two-step verification.
Go passwordless
Did you know you can increase the security of your account by removing your password and signing in with a passwordless method instead? Learn how to go passwordless with your Microsoft Account.
Learn how to turn on or off two-step verification (also called two-step authentication) to protect your Microsoft account with two forms of identity. Find out what you need for set up, how to reset your password, and how to use app passwords or go passwordless.
Learn how to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app as your verification method for your work or school account. Follow the steps to download, install, scan, and delete the app from the Security info page.
Learn how to use the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign in to your accounts securely with phone sign-in or verification codes. Find out how to add your accounts, turn on phone sign-in, and troubleshoot common issues.
Mar 8, 2023 · Learn how to secure your online accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA), aka two-factor authentication (2FA), using apps, codes, or biometrics. See how to activate MFA on popular services such as Amazon, Apple, Dropbox, Facebook, Google, and more.
Apr 26, 2024 · If you have recently created a Microsoft account, or are looking to improve the security of an existing account then we are here to help you set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account.
The web page does not contain any information about 2fa.live or two-factor authentication. It is a Microsoft Security web page that explains what 2FA is and how it works.
